The amount of things that compete for our attention daily are increasing! The numerous distractions like our phones, online occupation, and the insatiable need to keep up with everything that is going on socially and politically, is incredible.

I have noticed for quite some time now, how the movie industry has cornered the market on writing and rewriting our destiny. There is the ideology that says that we can create our own destinies, and even change it to make it what we want it to be. There are movies that suggest the possibility that the earth will pose great competitiveness when it comes to one's survival. If you pay close attention to the story line, you will get the messages that are being fed to the masses about life, love, identity, and the future, but where is the hope?? That's a subject for another blog.

I can remember a time when entertainment was a treat. It wasn't something that we engaged in on the regular. Grant it, there weren't as many things to watch on television or live shows to go to. Today is a whole other story. Entertainment is not all bad, but the amount of time it eats out of our daily and weekly life can pose a problem.

There is a constant flood and flow of business and movement. One wonders if we are able to spend profitable time doing the things that are necessary for us to do.

Each of us are in control of the activities we get involved with. What about the time that is needed to develop what God has given us? Can we even hear His voice midst the hustle and bustle of life? How much time are we investing in sitting quietly in His presence?

Every individual needs a healthy dose of 'Down Time' that allows you to relax, and exhale from all the business. You and I need a certain amount of 'Quietness' in order to hear ourselves think and process the important stuff. We also need to hush our spirit to hear God's voice. We need to be able to distinguish His voice from all the other voices including our own.

I can no longer just drive along the highway or the street and focus on my thoughts. There are billboards with tantalizing ads and reminders of upcoming events, that distract me from the last thing that I was pondering or thinking about. The next thing I know, I'm entertaining some other thought, all because of a billboard.

I realize that I cannot control the 'Entertainment' world, but I can certainly control myself and what I decide to participate in. I can control my television, and my computer, my phone, and other events that require my money.

Quiet moments, each day, is a valuable thing to find ourselves doing. Sitting still, requires that we shut everything else out, at least for a reasonable period of time. Quietness helps us to evaluate whether or not we should continue in certain relationships or not. It helps us to think about the areas of our life that need fixing. Quietness affords us the beauty of connecting with our inner selves, which has become a loss art. When you allow yourself to be quiet, you begin to see some of the things you are doing wrong. There is so much I can say about studying to be quiet. If you have a husband or children, you'll be able to hear them more fully and take notice of the things that require your much needed attention.

Business and distractions keep us from fulfilling our God given abilities. It hinders our spiritual growth and shuts down the voice of the Lord God. There is no wonder that God has to step in at times with an attention getter in order for us to stop and think.

Try practicing quietness. Here is a list of ways to get some quietness in each day.

Get up an hour earlier each morning to sit undistracted in God's presence.

Refrain from using your phone on the way to work, and when you arrive home in the evenings, for a couple of hours.

Carve out 'Quiet Time' after dinner where you just sit to relax for an hour.

Don't turn the T.V. on some days. Sit still and pray instead.

Go for a walk and hear yourself think....leave your cell phone in the car or in your pocket until your walk is finished.

Leave your phone in another room at dinner time.

We can practice being quiet. You will be surprised at what you can accomplish with less distractions in your life!